University Scholarly Achievement Awards

Overview

Each year, the University of Kansas recognizes up to four mid-career faculty members as recipients of a University Scholarly Achievement Award.

This $10,000 award recognizes a significant scholarly or research contribution, creative work (an exhibition, performance, composition, article or book, or major collaborative project) or a series of closely related contributions. This award covers all fields of scholarship represented at the University of Kansas, including but not limited to arts, humanities, architecture and design, music, mathematics, natural sciences, engineering, medicine, clinical science, pharmacy, social sciences, social welfare, education, journalism, law, libraries, and business.

The Chancellor’s Office is now accepting nominations for the 2026 awards. The deadline for the submission of nominations is December 15, 2025. 

Details are below.

Selection Process

All nominations will be evaluated by a committee of individuals representing the following areas: 

• Arts and Humanities
• Science, Technology and Mathematics
• Medicine and Clinical Science
• Social Science and Professional Programs 

Members of the committee are appointed by the Chancellor. The committee may recommend up to four awards each year, depending on the number of meritorious nominations.  

Criteria

These contributions will be evaluated using the criteria below:

• Advances the field of scholarship.
• Exhibits novelty and originality.
• Promotes scholarly and research activity or creative works at KU.
• Enhances the university’s national and international reputation.

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration, the faculty member must meet the following criteria:

• Hold the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor.
• Be within 10 years of appointment as an Associate Professor at the time of the current nomination.
• Have completed three academic years at KU.
• Must not have received a prior major KU award for the body of work on which the nomination is based. (View a list of major KU awards.)

Nomination Process

Individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by others. Departments may nominate more than one individual for the award.

A complete nomination should be uploaded to REDCap by midnight, Sunday, December 15, 2025, and must include:

• A nomination letter of no more than two pages explaining in terms comprehensible to an educated layperson how the contribution meets award criteria.
• Information on two referees (at least one from outside KU) who are qualified to comment on the merits of the scholarly contribution and who will provide letters in support of the candidate.
• A curriculum vita.
• Documentation of the scholarly contribution or creative work as appropriate for the discipline. This may include research articles, books, exhibitions, performances, compositions, etc.

Each of the documents mentioned above must be uploaded as separate files. A single file containing all documents is not permissible.

Reference letters are not to be submitted through REDCap and should instead be emailed directly to chancellorawards@ku.edu by midnight on Sunday, December 15, 2025.

For questions about the award or for assistance with REDCap, contact chancellorawards@ku.edu with the subject line, “USAA Awards.”

Nominations that were not successful in past years are encouraged to resubmit if criteria are still met. Resubmissions should include updated files to account for research activity since the last submission.

Timeline

• October 22, 2025 | Nomination window for the 2026 award cycle opens
• December 15, 2025 | Deadline for submission
• December – January | Review Period for the USAA Committee
• February 2025 | Committee conveys its recommendations to the Chancellor
• April 14 |University Research Awards ceremony